OKC Thunder pulls off another major comeback- Player grades

The OKC Thunder pulled off another amazing comeback against the Miami Heat- Grades dives into how it happened.

In a game full of runs the OKC Thunder had the final run of the game to cap off an incredible game. The Thunder fell behind by as much as 22 points and still found it in themselves to come back. They started the last period down 100-82.

The Thunder second unit held the Heat second unit to just 15 points in the last frame while countering with 34 points. The night was capped off by Mike Muscala making two big 3-point shots at the end of the game in what has been an incredible story over the last three games.

Muscala came straight back from being in the NBA concussion protocol to start against the Wizards and Suns. The Thunder were without Steven Adams and Nerlens Noel for those two games. Muscala has delivered beyond his normal production and typified the next man up attitude.

First the Heat, then the OKC Thunder – a game of runs

The game started out with a level of intensity that kept things close for most of the first period. The Heat was shooting lights out, especially Duncan Robinson who had 16 first-quarter points. The Thunder were able to stay in the game early by getting to the line and converting.

Defensive star Luguentz Dort went down in the first period after clashing knees with Jae Crowder and did not return for the game. He has gone for an MRI, let us hope the rookie can come back for the playoffs.

When Dort left the court with 4:27 left in the first, the Thunder were down 24-18. When the quarter ended the score was 42-29 in favor of the Heat. This demonstrates how much the OKC Thunder relies on his defense.

The game continued with runs with the Thunder coming back from the 13 point deficit at the first break to be down by only four at the half. The Heat then took control of the third, before both coaches emptied their benches.

The game looked like it would fizzle out in the fourth but then the OKC Thunder bench showed that there is simply no quit in this team. Let’s take a look at the player grades from the match.